The songbird in the open cage

Part 3

Although parting with Aprudeé was hard, especially after yesterday's events, I wanted to finish this unwanted business as soon as possible. So, I rode at a punishing pace, feeling apologetic towards my horse, Myrth, but the fact that I knew he could handle it reassured me.

Fortunately, it wasn't far so I arrived earlier than I actually anticipated. But I had no idea how long it would take, so it was good.

I jumped off my horse, patted him and tied him to a tree. I didn't feel the need the announce my arrival, they would soon find out anyway anyway. There is no way they wouldn't know when someone crosses the invisible boundary between their land and her territory.

My mouth twitched as I remembered the scene when she had reprimanded them, reminding them this was officially her land and they could only live there because of her grace. I was so damn proud and grateful at that moment that I would have liked to crush her in my arms and kiss her until she was breathless, but... Our relationship wasn't like that, so I somehow managed to hold myself back by clenching my fist.

I shook my head to clear it and started towards my destination. It was in the centre, far from the Elf Village where they lived. Only a selected few were allowed to even approach it, usually selected by the leader of the tribe, but since they didn't have a proper one, only a provisional, the whole system was in chaos at the moment.

Standing in front of it was a breathtaking experience. It looked like any other tree, but it was huge and magnificent, its leaves so vibrant, full of life and strength. I felt so tiny and insignificant seeing it like never before in my life, not even as a slave. It demanded respect and obedience and wanted me to be ready to be devoured by it at any moment. It was a dangerous tree. 

I resisted with all my might and went even closer until I could touch it. I wouldn't sacrifice myself for anyone or anything, the only one who can devour me completely is Aprudeé. I would never bow down to anyone else.

"You're just like your mother." It wasn't a real voice, it would be impossible to be heard by anyone else, it just echoed in my head. It was as if I was called at once by all creatures of the forest. I could detect the chirping of birds, the roar of the bear, the howling of the wolf, the hooting of the owl, and so much more.

"Perhaps." My father was only a memory evoked by my mother's stories in me, but she herself became more and more difficult to remember as time went on. I forgot her voice first, then I became uncertain about the exact colour of her eyes and hair. Her shape and words got hazier and hazier. She was the person I loved and respected the most before I met Aprudeé, she was my dear mother so I desperately tried to grasp after every trace of her but... Yeah.

A strange laugh reverberated in my mind.

"She never bent to my will, she wanted to be my equal." It fell silent for a moment, as if remembering. "So why did her son who was never part of this forest came to me?"

"Because of the pollution." I answered honestly.

For a human, it would be impossible to notice that the air was slightly grey, but it was. Small black particles were swimming around the tree, contaminating the area and if nothing was done it would only get worse. 

"And you think you can do anything?" It questioned me. "Do you even know what is the cause is?" I just shook my head. "The tribe don't have a proper leader now, so there is no one to deal with the residual energy."

"I don't understand." I admitted.

"After a new elf is born, they are brought before me and we enter in a pact. We establish a connection and through this invisible thread we share our life force. The elves keep me alive and I help them live much longer than their original lifespan. But during our energy exchange, there are some that cannot be absorbed and pollute the air. This is what you can see now."